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The top 50 craft breweries in America for 2016

The Brewers Association (BA)—the not-for-profit trade group representing small and independent craft brewers—just released its annual lists of the top 50 craft brewing companies in the U.S., based on 2016 beer sales volume. These are the top craft beer producers, not the “best” craft breweries.

“With such a broad range of brewers in today’s beer landscape, the leading small and independent producers have helped build the craft brewing industry to what it is today,” said Bart Watson, chief economist, Brewers Association. “Embracing their experience and ability to thrive and overcome challenges, the top producing craft brewers will continue to inspire, innovate and influence the future of beer.”

Some things to think about:

The rankings are based on beer sales and do not reflect anyone’s opinion about which brewery makes the best beer.

The Brewers Association also released its list of the top 50 overall brewing companies in America. As you might expect, Anheuser-Busch tops that list. Of the top 50 overall, 40 were craft breweries.

No Washington breweries made the list. Not surprising. Four Oregon breweries made the list: Deschutes, Full Sail, Ninkasi, and Rogue.

Ballast Point, Breckenridge, and Four Peaks fell off the list this year because they were acquired by larger companies: Constellation Brands and Anheuser-Busch. Therefore they are no longer considered craft breweries by the BA. Likewise, Lagunitas fell off the list this year because they “partnered” with Heineken.

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate.